INTERVIEW

WIRE: In autumn 2007 Messe Düsseldorf already reported a clear rise in the floor area booked by numerous European companies. At the same time, it predicted that it would attract around 1100 exhibitors. Has this trend continued as planned and has the forecast exhibitor total been reached?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: Two months before the events get under way, the registration figures for wire and Tube already far exceed the final figures for the previous events in 2006. Once again we expect to welcome more than 1100 exhibitors to wire in halls 9 to 14: we have already let a net area of 53,400 square metres, compared with 51,000 net square metres in 2006.
Companies will travel to Düsseldorf to present their innovations for the wire and cable technology sector from 50 nations. European companies will once again turn out in high numbers, flocking to the event chiefly from Italy, the Benelux states, France, the UK, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and Turkey.
WIRE: How high is the proportion of manufacturers from the US and Asia?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: The Asian market continues to boom. Compared with the 35 Chinese firms appearing in 2006, no fewer than 66 have already registered from China two months prior to the event. Since 2006, more than twice as much space has been let, improving from a net 461 square metres in 2006 to 1038 square metres; this is a result that will no doubt continue to climb before the fair opens its doors on 31st March!
Indian companies will also appear in greater numbers than in 2006. At present, 43 companies have booked a total area of 1344 square metres. We will also welcome companies from Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Hong Kong.
A larger net area has also been booked by the US, totalling 2074 square metres, up from 1599 square metres and 70 exhibitors in 2006. The number of US companies has remained steady.
WIRE: As each year goes by, wire Russia goes from strength to strength and, set against the backdrop of the growth market Russia, is now described by insiders as one of the world’s most important fairs. What arguments speak in favour of Düsseldorf and how can this venue be secured in the future?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: Our objective is to position the themes represented at wire on the global stage. This is the reason why we have established the regional wire events in Shanghai, Bangkok and Moscow. These shows are growing continually and have developed in their respective regions into indispensable information and ordering tools for the industry.
In addition many of these regional firms also appear at the leading trade fair wire in Düsseldorf, which is the only event that attracts visitors from all four corners of the globe. Having the opportunity to talk to colleagues or to look at what other exhibitors are doing is an important part of attending the show on the River Rhine.
The fact that more and more Russian companies are participating in Düsseldorf is a good sign reflecting the flourishing Russian economy. At wire, machines and systems are not only presented in the exhibition halls; they are also up and running and demonstrate how they are producing in the factories!
Taking part in wire Düsseldorf is still absolutely essential for internationally operating firms wanting to be involved in global business. We believe the regional events give us the opportunity to make our international presence more strongly felt; we therefore have no fears of jeopardising wire Düsseldorf’s leading position.
WIRE: For the first time, wire and Tube are taking place in conjunction with METAV, an exhibition which focuses chiefly on machining. Messe Düsseldorf hopes this will enable both visitors and exhibitors to benefit from an abundance of synergies. In what areas can they be found?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: Important synergies exist in mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and the supplier sector. The exhibitors at wire and Tube can find products at METAV (e.g. CNC machines) that they can successfully integrate in their own machines and systems. This saves time and travel costs whilst fostering communication between individual industries.
WIRE: Several experts believe that the economy will slow down in 2008 due to waning dynamism on the global market. Do you think the effects will already be felt at wire and Tube?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: Our exhibitor figures would suggest otherwise. The companies from the cable, wire and tube sectors are booking larger spaces for the current event, whilst rising registration figures from the traditionally strong European exhibitor countries and the booming countries of Asia speak for themselves. Of course, the growth potential for these sectors is finite, but for the time being at least, we are experiencing a high. The order books which will be nicely full at wire and Tube, will keep the companies going until well after 2008.
WIRE: One question that is asked in the run-up to every fair: Where will the exhibition focus lie in 2008?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: As in the past, the spotlight will obviously fall on the machinery and systems used for wire and cable production and processing as well as on tubes and the latest tube technology.
Other focal themes featured at wire include the spring making machines and systems and the machinery needed in the production of fasteners such as nails, rivets, hooks etc. I would like to stress that wire is also the world’s biggest fair for these two sectors as well, i.e. fastener and spring making machines. Set against the backdrop of rising energy costs, efficiency and environment engineering are playing an increasingly important role. The machinery makers have responded by improving their systems accordingly.
Tube will, for the first time, also present the pipeline and oil extraction field, featuring the latest technologies from this expansive industry.
WIRE: Numerous exhibition organisers spotlight partner countries at their international trade fairs. Could wire and Tube benefit from this kind of constellation, considering Messe Düsseldorf has the best contacts in the world?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: Because we attach much importance to treating all our exhibitors equally, we do not wish to have a partner country that we emphasise in our marketing campaigns.
Our international public relations and advertising activities embrace all our exhibitors and we do not envisage cooperating with a partner country in the future.

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